Building a 500/400 F.F.E. with Mega-Squirt

[airfueleddie]

When you get to the point of completing the EDIS wiring, make sure to duplicate the factory shielding (wires wrapped in foil) for the CKP, IDM and Spout wiring.

Yeah, thanks Nostalgia70, I have the EDIS module already and the SPOUT,(Spark output), and VR Sensor wires are shielded to reduce IMF/EMF voltage potentials in other wiring sensitive to such 'spikes', I'll do just that, appreciate the suggestion. I think I had a 'moment' of clarity while under my diesel truck. I think the master wiring connector goes to the PCM and then to the relay board. The main harness wiring would go to the relay board screw in wire 'pins' and they gave me the wiring bundle for that already and I have the pigtails to the coolant sensor, and the IAC sensor, I guess I was thinking too much into it. BTW, Chryco, this is the 'easy' setup for mega -squirt systems. You can buy the individual components down to the mother board and build your own PCM. The setup I bought is the most 'user friendly' setup you could possibly get. Also note guys, Mega-Squirt, Micro-Squirt,(fuel control only), are very reasonably priced. I got my entire pre-assembled PCM, EDIS module, ECT/IATsensors, coded wiring, Main harness connector, stim, relay board, all for under 1k. The MS is also an educational/experimental system. The other systems  mentioned above are all over 3k!! Some high end systems are over 6k!(Stack Hilborn MPI)(Motec) ect,, with a MS you could probably build your own setup for under 500.00 if you wanted to start from scratch and hit the salvage yards.

[airfueleddie]

RSautosport makes pre-terminated EDIS wiring harnesses for that type of ignition. 67.00 bucks. I think I'm gonna get one when I get that far along. BTW, I didnt mention this but that stimulator board,(for testing and downloading code for the MS megatune tables), does NOT go on the car. it's just for downloading code and testing only. Thanks

[airfueleddie]

FoMoCo EDIS-8,(8 is for 8 cylinders), guess you dudes knew that!LOL

[airfueleddie]

The biggest 'challenge' is yet to come. tuning the engine with gasoline first, this way I'll have a known baseline, then incorporating the E-85 into the 'mix' with an E-85 VE spark and fuel table. Of course I am going to follow Bowling&Grippo's advice as well as many others who have successfully used MS in the past. That is to use a carb&dizzy to break the engine in on. This way the cam&valvetrain will hopefully have a wear pattern established and there wont be any problems in case the engine stumbles or I screw up real bad,(likely).LOL Thanks again for all the help/advice guys.

[Jacksboys]

Keep the up dates coming   

 

[Chryco Psycho]

never done a Megasquirt , I use the SDSEFI system built locally though

[Kapteenikosmos]

This is very interesting post because I have similar plans for my spare 400 block. Nice work!

[airfueleddie]

Downloading the imbedded code to my laptop, not to the PCM just yet, I did hook it up to a 13.6 VDC power source, and the stimulator board LED"s came on. I also laid it all out on the table to 'see' how everything goes together.

[ShelbyDogg]

Downloading the imbedded code to my laptop, not to the PCM just yet, I did hook it up to a 13.6 VDC power source, and the stimulator board LED"s came on. I also laid it all out on the table to 'see' how everything goes together.

I've got the megasquirt running the 440 on my engine stand.  From your picture, I see that you already have both ends of your cable plugged in, so I guess you figured it out already. Your relay board is what all of your sensors, power wires a, injectors hooked to. Keep your pickup wires and tach input wires shielded like ntslg1970 says. You have to keep the noise away from the everything.  The biggest problem for me is finding someone to machine a bracket to hold my 36-1 trigger wheel for the EDIS-8. The ones that I've seen bolt inside your lower pulley and stick out past all of the belts. I'm going to use that meathod so I don't have to space all of my stuff out if I put it under the crank pulley.
Another guy took a motorcycle steel 36 tooth sprocket ($20) and just ground off one of the teeth.

Once you get it running, talk to the guys at DIY about converting to a wideband controller. This way, you'll have accurate injector control during wide open throttle.

Good Luck,
Rob

[airfueleddie]

Thanks Robb, this is just the kind of info I have been looking for. I bought the Pre-assembled unit from Matt at diy. I'm using the Ford edis-8 with 36-1 trigger wheel and yeah it's a pretty large piece. Since I am using an electric fuel pump I though about making a bracket using the block mount fuel pump holes as an attachment point. The timing cover mount is would be covered completely by ther trigger wheel so thats not an option. Once I get it up and running, I'll convert to the wide-band controller great advice there. I'm planning on using low-impedance injectors 55/lbs. hr.(any higher flow rating and I'll have to switch to the really expensive hi-Impedance Inj,), since I plan on the low impedance Inj. I think I'll have to wire individual resistors,(30 Ohm ), to the injectors and a FastMan throttle body, 1300 CFM, from Richard Nedbal or a 1000 CFM from the various other sources, but Rich said the 1300 would work fine and provide a bit more top end H.P. if my cam/heads could handle it. I think the conservative approach would be better. But we'll see when the time comes. First I need to save up a lot more cash before any further development. Thanks again Robb!!!

[ShelbyDogg]

I'm planning on using low-impedance injectors 55/lbs. hr.(any higher flow rating and I'll have to switch to the really expensive hi-Impedance Inj,), since I plan on the low impedance Inj. I think I'll have to wire individual resistors,(30 Ohm ), to the injectors and a FastMan throttle body, 1300 CFM, from Richard Nedbal or a 1000 CFM from the various other sources,

To start off, go to a junk yard and get some free injectors.  They'll get you running. Its harder to control your idle with a big injector like your 55/hr ones.  Get something out of a stock crown vic or a dodge 5.9.  I think they use a 30 to 35 lb stock but I'm not sure without looking it up.  Think of your injector as a water faucet. The bigger the valve, the harder it is for you to control the vloume when cracking it open.     Same with the big throttle body.

As far as Throttle bodies, I was able to find a 100 CFM  holley on ebay for less than $200 a while ago.

[airfueleddie]

Cool! Thanks for the tip my friend, I'll definitely check that out!!!I can probably get a set of G.M. 5.7 TPI Injectors for free along with the wiring harness from my friend who builds those plants. Yeah, Ive been reading about the pulse width modulation. When I hook up modern cars to a Snap-On brick or DRB Scan tool I usually see 2-4 m/sec pulse width at idle. The bigger Inj. would be hard to 'modulate' at that speed for a less ground time wouldnt it? Like 1-2 m/sec for those big boys. I do have 500 cubes to feed with a cam in the 285-295 duration range, .550 lift, say no more than 70 degrees of overlap, 112 centers so around 550-580? H.P. with 440 source heads, I think the 1000 CFM T.B. would be a better idea. This engine is going to be a true street pump gas/E-85 engine with a decent idle and at least 12"@800 RPM's(manifold 'vacum'), but built with strong parts for future upgrades. ALL tips, advice, knowledge greatly appreciated. Thanks again to everyone.

[airfueleddie]

I decided to play around with the Edis-8 wiring and the power relay board. The wiring is temporary but necessary for me to get an understanding of how all this is configured. Placing this on an alloy plate, and keeping withing the wiring diagrams, and seeking assistance form a few friends, we have decided to shield both SAW and PIP wires as they were from Ford with the #7 wire the shield and 'ground' back to the module and not to earth ground. The module has an engine ground for that purpose. This is to protect the conductors from going to a ground loop and destroying the wiring. The module also gets 12 volt full time batt power and 12 volt keyed power from the relay board as well.

[airfueleddie]

I still need to find out what to do with the 2 wired pull/SPOUT connector shown taped to the plate. This is to place the Edis in base timing as used on a FoMoCo product with their PCM. It places the ignition module in 10 degrees BTDC fixed timing for testing purposes. I dont think I'll need it because the MS-II only recieves the PIP and SAW signals then routes it back to the module for coil firing computations. But, I'll have to make sure.

[airfueleddie]

The black rubber hose came from a Nissan. It's for my 3 bar 21 psi capable MAP sensor built into the PCM and hooked to manifold vacum.